In a heart-stopping encounter that will be remembered as one of England's greatest tournament escapes, Gareth Southgate's Three Lions snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against a resilient Slovakia side.
The Brink of Elimination
For 94 agonising minutes, England trailed to Ivan Schranz's 25th-minute strike and appeared destined for a humiliating early exit from Euro 2024. The Slovakian defence held firm against wave after wave of England attacks, with fans' frustration growing as the clock ticked down.
Bellingham's Moment of Magic
Just when all hope seemed lost, Jude Bellingham produced a moment of pure brilliance that will be replayed for generations. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, the Real Madrid star connected with a spectacular overhead kick that sent the ball crashing into the net, sending England fans into delirium.
Kane Seals the Turnaround
Before Slovakia could recover from the shock, England struck again just 50 seconds into extra time. Harry Kane rose magnificently to head home from close range, completing a remarkable turnaround that left Slovakian players devastated.
Southgate's Tactical Gambit
The England manager made bold changes that ultimately paid dividends. The introduction of Cole Palmer, Ivan Toney, and Eberechi Eze injected fresh energy into England's attack when it mattered most.
Quarter-Final Showdown Awaits
This dramatic victory sets up a mouth-watering quarter-final clash against Switzerland in Düsseldorf. After this great escape, England will approach the match with renewed belief that their name might just be on the trophy.
The performance, while nerve-shredding for supporters, demonstrated the character and resilience that could prove crucial as the tournament reaches its business end. England live to fight another day - and sometimes in tournament football, that's all that matters.
